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US9956902B2 - Headlight controller and vehicle headlight system - Google Patents

Headlight controller and vehicle headlight system Download PDF

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Publication number
US9956902B2
US9956902B2 US14/340,286 US201414340286A US9956902B2 US 9956902 B2 US9956902 B2 US 9956902B2 US 201414340286 A US201414340286 A US 201414340286A US 9956902 B2 US9956902 B2 US 9956902B2
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vehicle
light
time
emitting
road
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US14/340,286
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US20150042225A1 (en
Inventor
Junichi Fukayama
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Stanley Electric Co Ltd
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Stanley Electric Co Ltd
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q1/00—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor
    • B60Q1/02—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments
    • B60Q1/04—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments the devices being headlights
    • B60Q1/14—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments the devices being headlights having dimming means
    • B60Q1/1415—Dimming circuits
    • B60Q1/1423—Automatic dimming circuits, i.e. switching between high beam and low beam due to change of ambient light or light level in road traffic
    • B60Q1/143—Automatic dimming circuits, i.e. switching between high beam and low beam due to change of ambient light or light level in road traffic combined with another condition, e.g. using vehicle recognition from camera images or activation of wipers
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S41/00—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps
    • F21S41/10—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by the light source
    • F21S41/14—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by the light source characterised by the type of light source
    • F21S41/141—Light emitting diodes [LED]
    • F21S41/143—Light emitting diodes [LED] the main emission direction of the LED being parallel to the optical axis of the illuminating device
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S41/00—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps
    • F21S41/10—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by the light source
    • F21S41/14—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by the light source characterised by the type of light source
    • F21S41/141—Light emitting diodes [LED]
    • F21S41/151—Light emitting diodes [LED] arranged in one or more lines
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S41/00—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps
    • F21S41/60—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by a variable light distribution
    • F21S41/65—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by a variable light distribution by acting on light sources
    • F21S41/663—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by a variable light distribution by acting on light sources by switching light sources
    • F21S48/1154—
    • F21S48/1747—
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q1/00—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor
    • B60Q1/02—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments
    • B60Q1/04—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments the devices being headlights
    • B60Q1/14—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments the devices being headlights having dimming means
    • B60Q1/1415—Dimming circuits
    • B60Q1/1423—Automatic dimming circuits, i.e. switching between high beam and low beam due to change of ambient light or light level in road traffic
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q2300/00—Indexing codes for automatically adjustable headlamps or automatically dimmable headlamps
    • B60Q2300/05—Special features for controlling or switching of the light beam
    • B60Q2300/056—Special anti-blinding beams, e.g. a standard beam is chopped or moved in order not to blind
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q2300/00—Indexing codes for automatically adjustable headlamps or automatically dimmable headlamps
    • B60Q2300/10—Indexing codes relating to particular vehicle conditions
    • B60Q2300/11—Linear movements of the vehicle
    • B60Q2300/112—Vehicle speed
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q2300/00—Indexing codes for automatically adjustable headlamps or automatically dimmable headlamps
    • B60Q2300/10—Indexing codes relating to particular vehicle conditions
    • B60Q2300/12—Steering parameters
    • B60Q2300/122—Steering angle
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q2300/00—Indexing codes for automatically adjustable headlamps or automatically dimmable headlamps
    • B60Q2300/30—Indexing codes relating to the vehicle environment
    • B60Q2300/32—Road surface or travel path
    • B60Q2300/322—Road curvature
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q2300/00—Indexing codes for automatically adjustable headlamps or automatically dimmable headlamps
    • B60Q2300/40—Indexing codes relating to other road users or special conditions
    • B60Q2300/41—Indexing codes relating to other road users or special conditions preceding vehicle
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q2300/00—Indexing codes for automatically adjustable headlamps or automatically dimmable headlamps
    • B60Q2300/40—Indexing codes relating to other road users or special conditions
    • B60Q2300/42—Indexing codes relating to other road users or special conditions oncoming vehicle
    • F21S48/1186—

Definitions

  • the presently disclosed subject matter relates to headlight controllers and vehicle headlight systems, and more particularly to vehicle headlight systems including the headlight controller and optical unit, which do not include a movable component with a simple structure, and the vehicle headlight systems having a favorable light distribution pattern, which can be easy to drive at night, can prevent the optical unit from emitting a glare type light to oncoming vehicles and vehicles moving forward on a driving lane even when a drive drives on a curved roadway.
  • drivers steer a car at night the drivers usually want to steer the car while they turn on headlights for a high beam to improve a visibility.
  • drivers must drive the car while they switch between the headlights for a high beam and headlights for a low beam in response to various traffic conditions so that the headlights do not emit a glare type light to oncoming vehicles, vehicles moving forward on a same driving lane, etc.
  • a vehicle headlight system including an ADB may contribute an improvement of visibility in a forward direction of the vehicle that has the ADB for a driver by detecting an oncoming vehicle, a forward vehicle and the like with a camera incorporated into the vehicle that has the ADB and by emitting a high beam for the driver on an area except regions where the oncoming vehicle and the forward vehicle move.
  • ADB adaptive driving beam
  • FIGS. 7 a to 7 e are schematic side cross-sectional views depicting a respective one of operations in a conventional headlight of a vehicle headlight system including the ADB, which is disclosed in Patent Document No. 1.
  • the conventional headlight 70 includes: a light source 71 ; a projector lens 72 located in a light-emitting direction of the light source 71 : and a rotatable shutter 73 located between the light source 71 and the projector lens 72 , wherein the headlight 70 forms various light distribution patterns using light emitted from the light source 71 via the projector lens 72 by rotating the rotatable shutter 73 in response to various traffic conditions.
  • FIG. 8 a to FIG. 8 e are top views depicting exemplary schematic light distribution patterns, which may be formed by the above-described headlight 70 of the headlight system used in countries where drivers keep to the left side of the road.
  • FIG. 8 a shows a light distribution pattern Pa for a high beam, when oncoming vehicles and vehicles moving forward on a same driving lane do not exist in a forward direction of a subject vehicle that has the ADB for a driver.
  • the driver of the subject vehicle may drive on the driving lane while the driver keeps a wide view under the light distribution pattern Pa for a high beam by the headlight 70 shown in FIG. 7 a.
  • FIG. 8 b shows a light distribution pattern Pb for a high beam, when an oncoming vehicle approaches on an oncoming lane in a direction toward the subject vehicle from a long distance.
  • the subject vehicle may drive on the driving lane under the light distribution pattern Pb for a high beam so as not to emit a glare type light to the oncoming vehicle while the driver keeps a wide view under the light distribution pattern Pb for a high beam.
  • FIG. 8 c shows a light distribution pattern Pc for a high beam, when a forward vehicle drives forward on the same driving lane in a forward direction of the subject vehicle from a medium distance.
  • the subject vehicle may drive on the same driving lane under the light distribution pattern Pc for a high beam so as not to emit a glare type light to the forward vehicle while the driver keeps a wide view under the light distribution pattern Pc for a high beam by rotating the rotatable shutter 73 of the headlight 70 shown in FIG. 7 c.
  • FIG. 8 d shows a light distribution pattern Pd for a high beam, when a forward vehicle drives forward on the same driving lane in a forward direction of the subject vehicle from a medium distance and when an oncoming vehicle approaches on the oncoming lane in a direction toward the subject vehicle from a medium distance.
  • the subject vehicle may drive on the same driving lane under the light distribution pattern Pd for a high beam so as not to emit a glare type light to the forward vehicle and the oncoming vehicle by using the headlight 7 d shown in FIG. 7 d.
  • the subject vehicle which has the ADS for a driver, may provide a light distribution pattern Pe for a low beam so as not to emit a glare type light to the oncoming vehicle and the forward vehicle by the headlight 70 for a low beam shown in FIG. 7 e , in which a substantially upward light is shaded by the rotatable shutter 73 while a downward light passes through the projector lens 72 .
  • the conventional headlight system including the ADB can provide favorable light distribution patterns using light emitted from the light source 71 via the projector lens 72 by rotating the rotatable shutter 73 in response to various traffic conditions so as not to emit a glare type light to the oncoming vehicle and the forward vehicle, while keeping a wide view for safe driving.
  • the conventional headlight system varies from one of the above-described light distribution patterns to another one, a variation from the one of the light distribution patterns to the other one may carried out at once. Therefore, said rapid variation of a light-emitting intensity may cause an uncomfortable feeling to drivers for the oncoming vehicle, the forward vehicle and the subject vehicle, and also may cause frights to pedestrians.
  • Patent Document No. 2 Japanese Patent Application Laid Open JP 2012-151058
  • a shade performs a role similar to the rotatable shutter of the above-described conventional headlight system including the ADB.
  • the conventional shade control unit when a conventional headlight system using the shade control unit varies from one of light distribution patterns to another one, a rapid variation of a light-emitting intensity may be inhibited by prolonging a time of the rapid variation of the light-emitting intensity.
  • a time while the conventional headlight system changes from a high beam to a light distribution pattern to prevent an emission on an existing region of the oncoming vehicle after detecting the oncoming vehicle may be also subject to a long time.
  • the conventional headlight system using the shade control unit incorporated into the subject vehicle may emit a glare type light to the oncoming vehicle because a long switching time.
  • the conventional headlight system may have a high chance of an emission of the glare type light to the oncoming vehicle because a relative speed between the subject vehicle and the oncoming vehicle may become fast as compared with a forward vehicle moving forward in a forward direction of the subject vehicle.
  • a time while the conventional headlight system varies from the light distribution pattern to a high beam light distribution pattern to emit light on the above-described gone region of the oncoming vehicle after the oncoming vehicle passes through the subject vehicle may be also subject to a long time. Accordingly, a forward visibility of the subject vehicle may reduce during the time while the conventional headlight system varies from the light distribution pattern to the high beam light distribution pattern to emit light on the gone region of the oncoming vehicle.
  • the conventional headlight systems including the above-described ADB include at least one of the movable parts in a headlight, the headlight systems should become a complex structure. Therefore, the headlight systems may only be incorporated in limited vehicles, because the headlight used for the headlight systems may become big and also may decrease the possibility of car design.
  • Patent Documents and additional Patent Documents are listed below and are hereby incorporated with their English abstracts and specification in their entireties.
  • exemplary embodiments of the disclosed subject matter can include headlight controllers which can provide a favorable light distribution pattern to safely drive at night in accordance with various traffic conditions, while preventing a right and left headlight from emitting a glare type light to oncoming vehicles and vehicles moving in a forward direction of a subject vehicle, even when the subject vehicle drives on a big curved road, and even when an oncoming vehicle approaches on an oncoming lane toward the subject vehicle and also passes through the subject vehicle.
  • exemplary embodiments of the disclosed subject matter can include vehicle headlight systems including an optical unit with a simple structure, which can be used as the right and left headlight for the above-described headlight controller.
  • the optical unit does not include movable parts such as the conventional headlight, and therefore can expand possibilities for design so as to be able to harmonize with various vehicular designs.
  • An aspect of the disclosed subject matter can include headlight controllers that can output light distribution data to provide a favorable light distribution pattern to safely drive at night in accordance with various traffic conditions.
  • the headlight controller can prevent a right and left headlight from emitting a glare type light to oncoming vehicles and vehicles moving forward on a driving lane of a subject vehicle under the various traffic conditions.
  • Another aspect of the disclosed subject matter can include providing vehicle headlight systems including the headlight controller and an optical unit, which can be used as a right and left headlight having a high reliability for the headlight controller, and which can be easy to reduce a size of the headlight due to no movable part.
  • the vehicle headlight systems can provide a favorable light distribution pattern that can be easy to drive at night for not only the subject vehicle but also vehicles traveling near the subject vehicle by utilizing the characteristics of the headlight controller and the optical unit.
  • a headlight controller including an ADB can include: a camera located adjacent a subject vehicle having a right and left headlight, configured to photograph at least one vehicle located in a forward direction of the subject vehicle, and being configured to output the at least one vehicle photographed by the camera as image data; a vehicle detector detecting the at least one vehicle in accordance with the image data output from the camera, detecting locating data of the at least one vehicle with respect to an optical axis of the camera, and being configured to output said vehicle data as a first vehicle data; an oncoming vehicle detector configured to judge whether the vehicle is an oncoming vehicle or not in accordance with the first vehicle data, and configured to output said vehicle data as a second vehicle data; and a circling detector configured to calculate a curvature of a road, on which the subject vehicle drives, by using a vehicle speed signal and a rudder angle signal output from the subject vehicle, configured to judge whether the road is a curved road or a substantially straight road in accordance with the curvature of the road
  • the headlight controller including an ADB can also include: a timing controller configured to store a normal time at a first timing factor and a second timing factor when the road is a substantially straight road in accordance with the vehicle road data and when the vehicle is not an oncoming vehicle in accordance with the second vehicle data, configured to store a prescribed time at the first timing factor and the second timing factor when the road is a curved road in accordance with the vehicle road data and when the vehicle is an oncoming vehicle in accordance with the second vehicle data, and configured to output the first timing factor and the second timing factor; a light-emitting area controller configured to output a light-emitting area data every time the light-emitting area controller detects that the at least one vehicle moves in accordance with the first vehicle data; a light distribution controller configured to receive the light-emitting area data, the first timing factor and the second timing factor, and configured to output a light-emitting control signal to the right and left headlight in accordance with the light-emitting area data output, the first timing factor and
  • the normal time can be longer time than the prescribed time, which is stored at the first timing factor and the second timing factor
  • the first timing factor and the second timing factor can be a substantially same time
  • at least one of the first timing factor and the second timing factor can be set up at a plurality of different times as the prescribed time except the normal time.
  • the camera can be a color camera, which photographs color image data
  • the oncoming vehicle detector can be configured to judge that the vehicle is an oncoming vehicle by extracting a headlight of the oncoming from the first vehicle data output from the vehicle detector.
  • the circling detector can judge that the road, on which the subject vehicle drives, is a curved road, when the curvature of the road is 150 or more.
  • vehicle headlight systems including an ADB can replace the right and left headlight of the headlight controllers described above with a right and left optical unit.
  • Each of the right and left optical unit can include at least one of a first light-emitting device having a first light-emitting surface for a low beam and a second light-emitting device having a second light-emitting surface for a high beam, and an LED drive circuit emitting at least one of the first light-emitting device and the second light-emitting device.
  • the first timing factor can be a time while each of the right and left optical unit of the object vehicle changes from a non-light-emitting surface of the second light-emitting surface of the second light-emitting device to a light-emitting surface and the second timing factor can be a time while each of the right and left optical unit of the object vehicle changes from a light-emitting surface of the second light-emitting surface of the second light-emitting device to a non-light-emitting surface.
  • the vehicle headlight systems further can include a first projector lens located in front of the first light-emitting surface of the first light-emitting device so that an optical axis of the first projector lens intersects with the first light-emitting surface of the first light-emitting device, and a second projector lens located in front of the second light-emitting surface of the second light-emitting device so that an optical axis of the second projector lens intersects with the second light-emitting surface of the second light-emitting device.
  • the first light-emitting device can include at least one white LED aligning in a substantially horizontal direction with reference to the road, on which the subject vehicle drives, and the second light-emitting device can include a plurality of white LEDs arranged in a matrix array shape in a substantially horizontal direction with reference to the road.
  • the first light-emitting device can be integrated into the second light-emitting device, and thereby each of the right and left optical unit can include only the second light-emitting device without the first light-emitting device.
  • the light-emitting area controller can be configured to output the light-emitting area data every time the light-emitting area controller detects that the at least one vehicle moves in accordance with the first vehicle data output from the vehicle detector, and the timing controller can be configured to output the first timing factor and the second timing factor associating with the light-emitting area data to the light distribution controller in accordance with various traffic conditions. Therefore, the disclosed subject matter can provide the headlight controllers that can form a favorable light distribution pattern to safely drive at night in accordance with various traffic conditions while preventing the right and left headlight from emitting a glare type light to oncoming vehicles and vehicles moving forward on a driving lane of the subject vehicle under the various traffic conditions.
  • the optical units of the headlight system can be used as the right and left headlight having a high reliability with a simple structure without a movable part for the headlight controllers.
  • the disclosed subject matter can also provide vehicle headlight systems using the headlight controller and the optical units, which can provide a favorable light distribution pattern that can be easy to drive at night for the subject vehicle and other vehicles traveling near the subject vehicle by utilizing the characteristics of the headlight controller and the optical unit.
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an exemplary embodiment of a vehicle headlight system including a headlight controller and a right and left optical unit made in accordance with principles of the disclosed subject matter;
  • FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing an exemplary left optical unit including a first left light-emitting device, a second left light-emitting device and a left LED drive circuit in the vehicle headlight system shown in FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 3 a is a schematic front view depicting the left optical unit
  • FIG. 3 b is a schematic side cross-sectional view showing a locating relation between a second left light-emitting device and a second left projector lens in the left optical unit shown in FIG. 3 a;
  • FIG. 4 is a table showing an exemplary first timing factor ⁇ and an exemplary second timing factor ⁇ with respect to Curvature R of a curved road, on which a subject vehicle drives;
  • FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing an exemplary operating procedure for the vehicle headlight system shown in FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 6 a is a schematic top view depicting an exemplary light-emitting performance when an oncoming vehicle approaches on an oncoming lane toward a subject vehicle driving on a driving lane
  • FIG. 6 b is another schematic top view depicting another exemplary light-emitting performance when the oncoming vehicle passes through the subject vehicle driving on a driving lane;
  • FIG. 7 a to FIG. 7 e are schematic side cross-sectional views depicting a respective one of operations in a conventional headlight of a vehicle headlight system including an adaptive driving beam (ADB), respectively; and
  • ADB adaptive driving beam
  • FIG. 8 a to FIG. 8 e are top views depicting exemplary schematic light distribution patterns, which are formed by the above-described conventional headlight of the vehicle headlight system used in countries where drivers keep to the left side of the road.
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an exemplary embodiment of a vehicle headlight system including a headlight controller and a right and left optical unit made in accordance with principles of the disclosed subject matter.
  • the vehicle headlight system can include the headlight controller and the right and left optical unit 20 R and 20 L, which can be used as a right and left headlight for a subject vehicle incorporating the headlight controller.
  • the headlight controller can include: a camera 10 having an optical axis CA (as described with reference to FIG. 6A later) located at a predetermined position in a forward direction of the subject vehicle (e.g., close to a vehicle interior mirror), photographing an objective space in the forward direction of the subject vehicle, configured to photograph at least one vehicle located in the forward direction of the subject vehicle, and the camera 10 configured to output the at least one vehicle photographed by the camera 10 as image data; a vehicle detector 11 detecting the at least one vehicle in accordance with the image data output from the camera 10 , detecting locating data of the at least one vehicle with respect to the optical axis CA of the camera 10 , and being configured to output said vehicle data as first vehicle data; and a system controller 19 configured to receive the first vehicle data output from the vehicle detector 11 , configured to receive a speed signal and a rudder angle signal output from the subject vehicle, and being configured to output a light-emitting control signal to the right and left optical unit 20 R and 20 L, which can be used as a
  • the system controller 19 can includes: an oncoming vehicle detector 13 detecting second vehicle data of whether the at least one vehicle is an oncoming car or not in accordance with the first vehicle data output from the vehicle detector 11 , and outputting the second vehicle data; a circling detector 14 detecting whether the object vehicle drives on a curved road or not in accordance with the speed signal and the rudder angle signal output from the subject vehicle, and outputting said data as a vehicle road data; a timing controller 15 setting up a first timing factor ⁇ and a second timing factor ⁇ (as described with reference to FIG.
  • a light-emitting area controller 16 determining a light-emitting area data including a light-emitting area and a non-light-emitting area in accordance with the first vehicle data output from the vehicle detector 11 and the second vehicle data output from the oncoming vehicle detector 13 when the light-emitting area controller 16 confirms the light-emitting area data based upon the second vehicle data; and a light distribution controller 17 configured to receive the light-emitting area data output from the light-emitting area controller 16 , configured to receive the first timing factor ⁇ and the second timing factor ⁇ output from the timing controller 15 , and being configure to output the light-emitting control signal to the optical unit 20 R and 20 L.
  • CMOS complementary metal-oxide semiconductor
  • the optical axis CA of the camera 10 can correspond to an optical axis of the projector lens.
  • the vehicle detector 11 can include a computer system include a central processing unit (CPU), a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM) and the like, and can be operated to extract the at least one vehicle included in the image data output from the camera 10 by running a program from the ROM while using the camera 10 .
  • the vehicle detector 11 can detect only the at least one vehicle by a geometric feature extraction and the like, and then can also detect at least one of a headlight, a taillight, s stop lamp, a position lamp and the like as one of the first vehicle data in the at least one vehicle by an optical feature extraction, etc.
  • the vehicle detector 11 can keep detect locating data of the at least one vehicle with respect to the optical axis CA of the camera 10 as another one of the first vehicle data.
  • the vehicle detector 11 can be integrated into the camera 10 , and also can be integrated into the system controller 19 , which will now be described.
  • the system controller 19 can also include a computer system include a central processing unit (CPU), a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM) and the like, and can be operated as a controller for the optical unit 20 R and 20 L by running a program from the ROM while operating the camera 10 and the vehicle detector 11 .
  • CPU central processing unit
  • ROM read-only memory
  • RAM random access memory
  • the oncoming vehicle detector 13 of the system controller 19 can detect the second vehicle data of whether the at least one vehicle is an oncoming car or not in accordance with the first vehicle data output from the vehicle detector 11 , and can output the second vehicle data to the timing controller 15 .
  • the at least one vehicle means oncoming vehicles and forward vehicles driving forward in a forward direction of the subject vehicle incorporating the vehicle headlight system on a same driving lane.
  • the oncoming vehicle detector 13 can detect an oncoming vehicle by recognizing at least one of a headlight and a position lamp, and also can detect a forward vehicle driving forward in a forward direction of the subject vehicle by extracting at least one of a taillight and a stop lamp.
  • the oncoming vehicle detector 13 may be easy to detect whether the at least one vehicle is an oncoming vehicle or not because a taillight and a stop lamp emit red color light and a headlight and a position lamp emit light having a substantially white color tone. Additionally, an oncoming vehicle has features such that may approach toward the subject vehicle on an oncoming lane located adjacent a driving lane, and such that an approaching speed should be fast as compared with a forward vehicle driving forward on a same driving lane, on which the subject vehicle drives.
  • a color camera e.g., CCD camera including a color filter
  • the forward vehicle driving forward on the same driving lane may have features such that an amount of movements in a horizontal direction with respect to the driving lane may be small and such that an approaching speed between the forward vehicle and the subject matter should be very slow as compared with the oncoming vehicle. Accordingly, the oncoming vehicle detector 13 may be easy to detect whether the at least one vehicle is an oncoming vehicle or not by using a plurality of the above-described features.
  • the circling detector 14 can be configured to calculate a curvature of a road, on which the subject vehicle drives, by using at least the vehicle speed signal and the rudder angle signal output from the subject vehicle.
  • the circling detector 14 can be configured to detect whether the road, on which the subject vehicle drives, is a curved road or a straight road in accordance with the curvature of the road as a vehicle road data, and can output the road data to the timing controller 15 , as shown in FIG. 1 .
  • the timing controller 15 can be configured to set up the first timing factor ⁇ and the second timing factor ⁇ when the oncoming vehicle detector 13 detects that the at least one vehicle is an oncoming car and when the circling detector 14 detects that the object vehicle drives on a curved road as described above.
  • the first timing factor ⁇ can be a time while at least one LED in LEDs incorporated into a first left light-emitting device 23 L, a second left light-emitting device 22 L, a first right light-emitting device 23 R and a second right light-emitting device 22 R turns on from a turning-off state of the at least one LED
  • the second timing factor ⁇ can be a time while at least one LED in the LEDs incorporated into the first left light-emitting device 23 L, the second left light-emitting device 22 L, the first right light-emitting device 23 R and the second right light-emitting device 22 R turns off from a turning-on state of the at least one LED.
  • each of the first timing factor ⁇ and the second timing factor ⁇ can set up a normal time Td.
  • each of the first timing factor ⁇ and the second timing factor ⁇ can set up a shorter time than the normal time Td.
  • the timing controller 15 can output the first timing factor ⁇ and the second timing factor ⁇ to the light distribution controller 17 after the timing controller 15 sets up the first timing factor ⁇ and the second timing factor ⁇ in accordance with the above-described procedure. The specific procedure will be described with reference to FIG. 4 later.
  • the light-emitting area controller 16 can be configured to determine the light-emitting data including a light-emitting area and a non-light-emitting area in accordance with the first vehicle data output from the vehicle detector 11 and/or the second vehicle data output from the oncoming vehicle detector 13 .
  • the light-emitting area controller 16 can output the light-emitting data to the light distribution controller 17 .
  • the light distribution controller 17 can be configure to output the light-emitting control signal to the optical unit 20 R and 20 L in accordance with the light-emitting data output from the light-emitting area controller 16 and the first timing factor ⁇ and the second timing factor ⁇ output from the timing controller 15 .
  • a right LED drive circuit 21 R and a left drive circuit 21 L available LED driver ICs can be used to match the number of LED, a structure, a specification and the like of each of the first and second right light-emitting device 23 R and 22 R, which is attached to a front right portion of the subject vehicle as a right headlight, and the first and second left light-emitting device 23 L and 22 L, which is attached to a front left portion of the subject vehicle as a left headlight.
  • FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing an exemplary left optical unit 20 L including the first left light-emitting device 23 L, the second left light-emitting device 22 L and the left LED drive circuit 21 L in the vehicle headlight system shown in FIG. 1 .
  • the right optical unit 20 R is abbreviated in FIG. 2 because it is a substantially same structure as the left optical unit 20 L, and the left optical unit 20 L will now be described in detail.
  • the first left light-emitting device 23 L can include a single LED having a substantially white color tone to be used as a low beam for a right headlight, and also include a plurality of white LEDs having a substantially same white color tone, which align in a horizontal direction with respect to a road.
  • the first left light-emitting device 23 L can include three white LEDs LED 6 , LED 7 and LED 8 , which can be independently drown by the left LED drive circuit 21 L, respectively.
  • the second left light-emitting device 22 L can include a plurality of white LEDs having a substantially same white color tone, which are arranged in a matrix array shape and in a horizontal direction with respect to a road in order to be used as a high beam for a left headlight.
  • the second left light-emitting device 22 L can include ten white LEDs LED 1 a to LED 5 b , which are arranged in two rows and five columns, and which can be independently drown by the left LED drive circuit 21 L, respectively.
  • LED 1 a to LED 8 a semiconductor light-emitting device such that is disclosed in Patent Document No. 3 can be used.
  • FIG. 3 a is a schematic front view depicting the left optical unit 20 L including a left low beam optical unit 27 L used as a low beam and a left high beam optical unit 26 L used as a high beam.
  • the plurality of white LEDs having a substantially same white color tone LED 6 to LED 8 of the first left light-emitting device 23 L can align in a substantially horizontal direction with respect to a road so that the left low beam optical unit 27 L can provide a light distribution pattern used as a low beam.
  • each of LED 1 a to LED 5 a and LED 1 b to LED 5 b arranged in two rows and five columns can also align in a substantially horizontal direction with respect to a road.
  • the right and left optical unit 20 R and 20 L can provide favorable light distribution patterns in accordance with various traffic conditions by using the light-emitting control signal output from the light distribution controller 17 , which can receive the light-emitting area data output from the light-emitting area controller 16 and the first timing factor ⁇ and the second timing factor ⁇ output from the timing controller 15 .
  • FIG. 3 b is a schematic side cross-sectional views showing a locating relation between the second left light-emitting device 22 L and a second left projector lens 24 L having an optical axis OX in the left high beam optical unit 26 L.
  • the left high beam optical unit 26 L can include the second left projector lens 24 L and the second left light-emitting device 22 L located in front of the projector lens 24 so that a light-emitting surface 22 LS of the second left light-emitting device 22 L faces an incident surface of the projector lens 24 L and the optical axis OX of the second left projector lens 24 L intersects with the light-emitting surface 22 LS of the second left light-emitting device 22 L.
  • the left high beam optical unit 26 L can prevent each of LED 1 a to LED 5 b from an optical interference between the adjacent LEDs. Accordingly, the right and left optical unit 20 R and 20 L can provide favorable light distribution patterns having a clear boundary for a safe driving in accordance with various traffic conditions by using the light-emitting control signal output from the light distribution controller 17 .
  • the left low beam optical unit 27 L can also include a first left projector lens 25 L and the first left light-emitting device 23 L located in front of the first left projector lens 25 L so that a light-emitting surface 23 LS of the first left light-emitting device 23 L faces an incident surface of the first left projector lens 25 L and an optical axis of the first left projector lens 25 L intersects with the light-emitting surface 23 LS of the first left light-emitting device 23 L.
  • the right and left optical unit 20 R and 20 L can provide favorable light distribution patterns for a low beam, and also can provide favorable light distribution patterns having a clear boundary to drive safely in accordance with various traffic conditions while the first left projector lens 25 L associates with the left high beam optical unit 26 L.
  • the first left light-emitting device 23 L can be integrated into the second left light-emitting device 22 L so as to be aligned with the second left light-emitting device 22 L in a substantially horizontal direction with reference to a road, on which the subject vehicle drives.
  • the right and left optical unit 20 R and 20 L can provide various favorable light distribution patterns including a light distribution pattern for a low beam in accordance with various traffic conditions by using the light-emitting control signal output from the light distribution controller 17 , as disclosed in Patent Document No. 4 by Applicant of this disclosed subject matter.
  • a vehicle headlight using a semiconductor light source and a mirror which can provide various light distribution patterns disclosed in Patent Document No. 5 by Applicant of this disclosed subject matter, can also be used.
  • FIG. 4 is a table showing an exemplary first timing factor ⁇ and an exemplary second timing factor ⁇ with respect to Curvature R of a curved road, on which a subject vehicle drives.
  • each of the first timing factor ⁇ and the second timing factor ⁇ can set up 0.5 as the normal time Td, because a road, on which the subject vehicle drives, may be regarded as a substantially straight road due to a small curvature.
  • each of the first timing factor ⁇ and the second timing factor ⁇ can set up 0.4 because the road may be regarded as a curved road due to a large curvature.
  • each of the first timing factor ⁇ and the second timing factor ⁇ can set up a shorter time than the normal time Td, each of the time while at least one LED in LEDs incorporated into a first left light-emitting device 23 L, a second left light-emitting device 22 L, a first right light-emitting device 23 R and a second right light-emitting device 22 R turns on from a turning-off state of the at least one LED, and the time while at least one LED in the LEDs turns off from a turning-on state of the at least one LED can become shorter than those of when the oncoming vehicle detector 13 does not detect that the vehicle is an oncoming car and when the circling detector 14 detects that the object vehicle drives on a straight road.
  • the vehicle detector 11 can judge whether vehicles exist or not in front of the object vehicle in accordance with the image data output from the camera 10 .
  • the light-emitting area controller 16 may basically instruct the light distribution controller 17 to emit all the light-emitting devices 23 R, 22 R, 23 L and 22 L.
  • the light-emitting area controller 16 can output the light-emitting area data including a light-emitting area and a non-light-emitting area to the light distribution controller 17 in accordance with the first vehicle data output from the vehicle detector 11 .
  • the light distribution controller 17 can output the light-emitting control signal to the optical unit 20 R and 20 L in accordance with the light-emitting area data output from the light-emitting area controller 16 so as not to emit a glare type light to the at least one vehicle.
  • the light distribution controller 17 can keep outputting the above-described light-emitting control signal to the optical unit 20 R and 20 L.
  • the light-emitting area controller 16 detects that the vehicle moves, the light-emitting area controller 16 can output new light-emitting area data to the light distribution controller 17 in accordance with a new first vehicle data output from the vehicle detector 11 (Step S 11 : YES).
  • the circling detector 14 calculates a curvature R of a road, on which the subject vehicle drives, by using the vehicle speed signal and the rudder angle signal output from the subject vehicle (Step S 12 ).
  • the circling detector 14 detects whether the road, on which the subject vehicle drives, is a curved road or not in accordance with the curvature R of the road (Step S 13 ).
  • the oncoming vehicle detector 13 judges whether the vehicle is an oncoming car or not in accordance with the first vehicle data output from the vehicle detector 11 (Step S 14 ).
  • the timing controller 15 sets up the first timing factor ⁇ and the second timing factor ⁇ , which are shorter time than the normal time Td, and outputs the first timing factor ⁇ and the second timing factor ⁇ to the light distribution controller 17 (Step S 15 ).
  • the timing controller 15 store the normal time Td at the first timing factor ⁇ and the second timing factor ⁇ and outputs the first timing factor ⁇ and the second timing factor ⁇ , which are set up the normal time Td, to the light distribution controller 17 (Step S 16 ).
  • the light distribution controller 17 outputs the light-emitting control signal to the right and left optical unit 20 R and 20 L in accordance with the light-emitting area data output from the light-emitting area controller 16 and the first timing factor ⁇ and the second timing factor ⁇ output from the timing controller 15 (Step S 17 ).
  • the light distribution controller 17 can enable the optical unit 20 R and 20 L to vary from a previous light distribution pattern to a new light distribution pattern at intervals of the normal time Td.
  • the light distribution controller 17 can enable the optical unit 20 R and 20 L to vary from a previous light distribution pattern to a new light distribution pattern at intervals of the first timing factor ⁇ at turn-on and the second timing factor ⁇ at turn-off, which is the same time as the first timing factor ⁇ at turn-on.
  • FIG. 6 a is a first schematic view depicting a light-emitting performance when an oncoming vehicle 60 approaches on an oncoming lane toward a subject vehicle 50 driving on a driving lane.
  • the subject vehicle incorporates the camera 10 having the optical axis CA and the right and left optical unit 20 R and 20 L as shown in FIG. 6 a .
  • the headlight system including the ADB of the disclosed subject matter can enable the right and left optical unit 20 R and 20 L to provide a favorable light distribution pattern including a light-emitting area 52 and a non-light-emitting area 51 at once. Accordingly, the headlight system can prevent an emission of a glare type light to the oncoming vehicle 60 , and also can provide a favorable light distribution pattern to a driver of the subject vehicle.
  • FIG. 6 b is a second schematic depicting a second light-emitting performance when the oncoming vehicle 60 passes through the subject vehicle 50 driving on a driving lane.
  • the headlight system including the ADB can enable the right and left optical unit 20 R and 20 L to change from the previous favorable light distribution pattern including a light-emitting area 52 and a non-light-emitting area 51 to a new favorable light distribution pattern including a light-emitting area 51 and 52 at once, even when the oncoming vehicle rapidly passes through the subject vehicle.
  • the headlight system can prevent an emission of a glare type light to the oncoming vehicle 60 , and also can provide the new favorable light distribution pattern to a driver of the subject vehicle because it can change from a non-light-emitting area 51 to a light-emitting area 51 at once.
  • the exemplary headlight controller can provide a favorable light distribution pattern to safely drive at night while preventing a right and left headlight from emitting a glare type light to oncoming vehicles and vehicles moving forwards in a forward direction of the subject vehicle in accordance with various traffic conditions, even when the subject vehicle drives on a big curved road, and even when an oncoming vehicle rapidly approaches on an oncoming lane toward the subject vehicle and also passes through the subject vehicle.
  • the right and left optical unit 20 R and 20 L can be used as the right and left headlight having a high reliability for the headlight controller, and can be easy to reduce a size of the headlight due to no movable part.
  • the disclosed subject matter can provide vehicle headlight systems using the headlight controller and the optical units can provide a favorable light distribution pattern that can be easy to drive at night for not only the subject vehicle but also vehicles traveling near the subject vehicle by utilizing the characteristics of the headlight controller and the optical unit, and which can expand possibilities for design so as to be able to harmonize with various vehicular designs.
  • each of the first timing factor ⁇ and the second timing factor ⁇ is set up at the normal time and the prescribed time, which is shorter than the normal time, is described as a matter of convenience.
  • each of the first timing factor ⁇ and the second timing factor ⁇ is not limited to this procedure and can be set up at a plurality of times as the prescribed time in response to various traffic conditions, and also can be set up at a different plurality of times.

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